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Columbus (Fla.) advances to City of Palms Classic title game with win over IMG Academy (Fla.)

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•about 11 hours•

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Syndication: Naples Daily News
Columbus Explorers guard Cayden Boozer (2) brings the ball up court as IMG Academy Ascenders guard Felipe Quinones (14) during the second quarter of the City of Palms Classic semifinal game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.

The second semifinal of the 2024 City of Palms Classic once again featured a pair of elite Florida programs, as Columbus and IMG Academy threw down on Saturday night in Fort Myers.

A tight four-quarter contest saw Columbus pull out a tough 77-71 win, advancing to Monday night’s championship game. Star forward Cameron Boozer had been pacing the Explorers this week, and while he compiled a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double, it was junior small forward Jaxon Richardson who set the pace.

The son of former NBA veteran Jason Richardson was once again terrific, pouring in 23 points on 10-15 shooting. Jaxon scored 17 in the second half, nine of which came via a trio of third-quarter 3-pointers.

Cam Boozer also had three assists and three blocks. His brother, Cayden Boozer, was also impressive with 16 points, seven dimes and five boards.

After notching multiple comeback victories earlier in the week, IMG was unable to keep its streak alive, though star point guard Darius Acuff was once again terrific with 27 points and eight assists. The Ascenders led 31-27 at halftime and were within a couple of baskets for a majority of the fourth quarter, even leading at one point late.

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City of Palms Championship Game set for Monday night

Columbus has looked like the best team in the tournament and it will have a chance to raise the trophy on Monday night, though a familiar foe awaits. Montverde Academy (Fla.), the defending City of Palms champions, downed Oak Ridge (Fla.) 83-74 in Saturday’s first semifinal.

The Eagles rank as the No. 11 team in the nation and No. 3 team in the state of Florida, per the On3 Composite Rankings. Columbus reigns atop the Sunshine State, checking in at No. 6 nationally.

The championship game is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday night in Fort Myers. If Columbus were to win, it would be the first City of Palms champion from Dade County in 28 years.

Top performers from Day Two of the City of Palms Classic can be found HERE.

The On3 Composite High School Basketball Team Ranking is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings listed in the public domain by respected High School media and data companies. It includes Massey, Max Preps, ESPN and SI, creating the industry’s most comprehensive and geographically balanced High School Team Ranking.

More about the City of Palms Classic

A brief history on the City of Palms Classic from the tournament website:

“In December 1973, the City of Palms Classic began, like so many events, as a simple, local Christmas basketball tournament — the brainchild of legendary Edison Community College head coach Hugh Thimlar and a small group of high school coaches and administrators. Over the years, the “City of Palms Classic” (named by Donnie Wilkie in 1987) has grown and expanded its scope to include many of the nation’s finest players and teams, setting the standard during the past four decades by which all other holiday basketball tournaments are compared.”